Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Review

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake presents an HD-2D overhaul of the iconic Dragon Quest III, widely considered a cornerstone of the series. This remake, created by Akira Toriyama, Koichi Sugiyama, and even overseen by the legendary Yuji Horii, promises to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers with its faithful recreation and modernization of the timeless classic.

The journey begins with our new Dragon Warrior at the age of sixteen, following the presumed death of their father, Ortega, who was lost on an adventure. With the world threatened by the malevolent Baramos, it falls upon the chosen warrior to restore balance and vanquish this looming menace.

Will this be a memorable adventure? Prepare to embark on an epic quest in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake!

Revisiting A Classic

The HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest III stands out for its revitalized classic look. While many titles like Octopath Traveler and Live a Live have used the HD-2D style, it’s worth mentioning that this style is such a perfect mix of the old and new, breathing life into a classic game with a look that retains the old-school feel but feels so modern as well. Beyond the character pixel art, the background visuals are particularly striking, especially in their more detailed environments.

The cutscenes are a notable addition, bringing iconic set pieces to life that were once left to players’ imaginations due to technological limitations. This alone is enough reason for new players or returning fans to have a compelling reason to revisit Dragon Quest III.

The inclusion of voice acting significantly enhances the emotional connection with the characters. It transforms the experience from a series of fetch quests into a narrative with meaningful stakes and context. A standout example is the Orochi quest in Jipang, where the villagers’ conspiracy to hide Yayoi, the maiden, is dramatically heightened by the voice performances, adding depth and urgency to the situation.

Koichi Sugiyama’s fully orchestrated music score elevates the adventure, whether you’re exploring the overworld, sailing, delving into dungeons, or engaging in battles. The soundtrack perfectly complements the high adventure of Dragon Quest III, making the full overhaul a truly immersive experience.

The combat in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake remains as challenging as ever, staying true to its classic roots. Enemy encounters are relentless, requiring well-thought-out strategies, especially when players are under-leveled or poorly equipped. Unlike many modern RPGs where unprepared dungeon exploration is more forgiving, Dragon Quest III punishes those who underestimate its difficulty.

However, as noted in our hands-on preview, the pace of combat really slows down the overall pace of the game. Without using any of the features that increase battle speed, combat encounters are painfully and excruciatingly slow, which is exacerbated by the turn-based gameplay. Introducing a third tier to the Ultra-Fast battle speed could help with the pace, particularly during lengthy dungeon explorations.

The difficulty settings are a welcome addition, offering a range of challenges. However, it appears that the primary adjustment is the frequency of random encounters. On Easy mode, the risk of instant death is minimized, but this also diminishes the need for defensive strategies and healing items, potentially detracting from the classic RPG experience.

Despite these points, the original story and gameplay of Dragon Quest III have been faithfully preserved, catering to both new and veteran players. In particular, the vocation system is fantastic, providing players with a selection of jobs, each with distinct skills and abilities. Choosing which jobs to take to your party will dictate how you approach combat sequences, offering a layer of strategy when choosing which vocations and skills go well with each other.

The Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake introduces a new vocation: the Monster Wrangler. This class is akin to the Blue Mage in the Final Fantasy series, allowing you to learn enemy skills and use them against formidable foes. Skills that were once annoying, like tongue lashing, can now be turned against enemies. Additionally, the Monster Wrangler can equip whips to target groups of enemies while receiving a generous combat stat boost, making it a powerful addition to your party.

Awaken The Dragon Warrior Within You!

The various quality-of-life enhancements significantly elevate the experience of Dragon Quest III. While many elements were groundbreaking at the time of its original release, they can feel outdated by today’s gaming standards.

The autosave feature is particularly invaluable, given that traditional save points are only available in town churches. Autosave ensures progress is saved after every battle, upon entering new areas, and before critical cutscenes. This convenience allows players to take breaks or end their sessions without the frustration of losing hours of gameplay.

Although the difficulty selection mode has its imperfections, it remains a useful tool for preserving hard-earned progress. Switching to easy mode can prevent untimely deaths, especially when accidentally entering high-level dungeons unprepared. This option provides a safety net for players who prefer a more forgiving experience.

The Recall function is another beneficial addition, helping players who may be stuck or unsure of their next objective. This feature ensures that the adventure remains engaging and accessible, even when navigating complex quests.

Additionally, long-winded dialogues and cutscenes can now be skipped or fast-forwarded, enhancing the replayability of the game. While this feature is not perfect, it is a significant improvement over having to sit through extensive text sequences.

One personal critique of classic RPGs is the lack of interaction from generated party members, who remain silent except in a few select situations. This absence of party interaction can be a drawback, but it preserves the original game’s design. In a way, it allows players to use their imagination to fill in the gaps, much like players did in the past.

For newer players, this remake offers an authentic taste of retro gaming, staying true to the original while incorporating modern quality-of-life improvements. These enhancements make the game more accessible without altering or adding extra content, ensuring that the experience remains faithful to the classic.

Dragon Quest III is a substantial RPG, offering around 30 hours to complete the main story, while almost doubling the total playtime when considering all of the side content. The day and night cycle adds strategic depth to combat, and the intricate job system allows characters to reclass once they reach level 20, making this game a deeper experience than expected.

Verdict: Buy It!

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake successfully balances the preservation of the original game while making it accessible to modern players. With features like autosave, a recall function, and difficulty selection, players can enjoy the classic game on their terms.

The graphical overhaul and fully orchestrated soundtrack enhance the visual and auditory experience, allowing players to appreciate the game as it was originally intended. However, there are minor issues such as the extremely slow pace of combat and uneven difficulty settings, which can easily turn off certain players.

This ambitious remake, led by a young and enthusiastic team under the guidance of the legendary Yuji Horii, is a commendable effort. Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a must-play for fans of classic RPGs and serves as an excellent introduction to the Dragon Quest series for newcomers.

*Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake has been reviewed on a PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.